Workstation Pro

Build and Test for any platform with VMware Workstation

VMware Workstation Pro is the industry standard for running multiple operating systems as virtual machines (VMs) on a single Linux or Windows PC. IT professionals, developers and businesses who build, test or demo software for any device, platform or cloud rely on Workstation Pro.

Workstation Pro Overview

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Workstation Pro Overview

Learn about advanced features for running multiple operating systems as virtual machines (including Linux and Windows VMs) at once on a single PC.

Try Workstation 15 Pro

See for yourself what's new in Workstation, including: new user interface, REST API, improved vSphere integration, and more.

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Workstation Pro Delivers a Data Center in Your Laptop

Run Multiple OSs on a Single PC

VMware Workstation Pro allows you to run multiple operating systems at once on the same Windows or Linux PC. Create real Linux and Windows VMs and other desktop, server, and tablet environments, complete with configurable virtual networking and network condition simulation, for use in code development, solution architecting, application testing, product demonstrations and more.

Develop and Test for Any Platform

Workstation Pro supports hundreds of operating systems and works with cloud and container technologies like Docker and Kubernetes.

Connect to VMware vSphere

Securely connect with vSphere, ESXi or other Workstation servers to launch, control and manage both virtual machines (VMs) and physical hosts. A common VMware hypervisor maximizes productivity and enables easy transfer of VMs to and from your local PC.

Secure and Isolate Environments

Run a secure second desktop with different privacy settings, tools and networking configurations, or use forensic tools to investigate OS vulnerabilities. Workstation provides one of the most secure hypervisors in the industry and delivers powerful features for IT security professionals.

FEATURES

vSphere Integration

Workstation serves as the ultimate companion to vSphere. A shared hypervisor delivers environment fidelity like no other, ensuring that apps can easily move between desktop, data center and cloud. Workstation brings insight into remote clusters, data centers and virtual machines, as well as allow users to quickly deploy ESXi and the vCenter Server Appliance as VMs in a local lab on a single PC.

High-Performance 3D Graphics

VMware Workstation Pro supports DirectX 10.1 and OpenGL 3.3, to deliver a fluid and responsive experience when running 3D applications. You can run the most highly demanding 3D apps like AutoCAD or SOLIDWORKS with near-native performance in a Windows VM.

Clones for Rapid Duplication

Save time and effort and ensure an exact duplicate when repeatedly creating the same VM setup. Use “Linked Clones” to quickly duplicate a VM while significantly reducing physical disk space. Use “Full Clones” to create fully isolated duplicates that can be shared with others.

Monster Virtual Machines

Create massive VMs with up to 16 vCPUs, 8 TB virtual disks, and 64 GB of memory to run the most demanding desktop and server applications in a virtualized environment. Give graphics-intensive apps an additional boost by allocating up to 3GB of available host video memory to a VM.

High Resolution Display Support

Workstation Pro has been newly optimized to support high-resolution 4K UHD (3840x2160) displays for desktops and QHD+ (3200x1800) displays used in laptops and x86 tablets. It also supports multiple monitors with different DPI settings, such as a new 4K UHD display along with an existing 1080p HD display.

Restricted Access to Virtual Machines

Protect corporate content by restricting access to Workstation VM settings like drag-and-drop, copy-and-paste and connections to USB devices. Virtual machines can be encrypted and password-protected to ensure only authorized users have access.

New REST API for VM Automation

Use locally as a workflow enhancement, or remotely to command an offsite private server, the all new REST API leverages the same API framework introduced in VMware Fusion. Provides over 20 controls for operations such as Host and Guest Virtual Networking, VM Power, and shared folder management for programmatic mounting of source code directories from the host.

Helpful Snapshots

Create a rollback point to revert to on the fly, which is perfect for testing unknown software or creating customer demos. Multiple snapshots make it easy to test a variety of different scenarios without the need to install multiple operating systems.

Cross Compatibility

Create Linux or Windows VMs that can run across the VMware product portfolio or create restricted VMs for “offline” VM security. Workstation also supports open VM standards so you can create and play VMs from other vendors.

Shared Virtual Machines

Quickly share and test applications in a simulated production environment. Run VMware Workstation Pro as a server to share a repository of pre-loaded Linux and Windows VMs in every desired configuration with your teammates, department or organization.

USE CASES

Windows Virtualization Done Right

Workstation Pro delivers a desktop virtualization solution designed for every kind of user. IT pros get a high-powered productivity tool. Developers get an expansive engineering environment. Business leaders can enable BYO initiatives. Students and home users get the best of all worlds.

Solutions for IT Pros

Design, test and demo software solutions for nearly any device, platform or cloud.

FAQS

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How does VMware Workstation Pro work?

VMware Workstation Pro works by creating fully isolated, secure virtual machines that encapsulate an operating system and its applications. The VMware virtualization layer maps the physical hardware resources to the virtual machine's resources, so each virtual machine has its own CPU, memory, disks, and I/O devices, and is the full equivalent of a standard x86 machine. VMware Workstation Pro installs onto the host operating system and provides broad hardware support by inheriting device support from the host.

What types of applications can I run in a virtual machine?

Any application that will run on a standard PC will run inside a virtual machine on VMware Workstation Pro. VMware Workstation Pro is the equivalent of a full PC, with full networking and devices — each virtual machine has its own CPU, memory, disks, I/O devices, etc. This allows you to run any application that runs on the supported guest operating systems, including Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, Apache Web Server, Microsoft Visual Studio, Kernel debuggers, Firewalls, VPN software and much more.

Does Workstation 15 Pro support 32-bit operating systems?

Workstation 15 Pro requires a 64-bit operating system on the host PC. You can still run your favorite 32-bit Windows and Linux guest operating systems inside a virtual machine on Workstation 15 Pro. If you plan to run 64-bit virtual machines with VMware Workstation Pro, please refer to the Knowledge Base article on compatible 64-bit CPUs.

How can I download VMware Workstation Pro?

Can I convert my trial license to a permanent license?

After the evaluation period has expired, you will be prompted to enter a license key. If you have purchased the product you will have received a new license key. Enter the purchased license key when prompted to unlock the full "unlimited" version of the software. To take advantage of complimentary email support for up to 30 days, your license key must be registered. If you purchased the product from the VMware Online store, your license key is automatically registered. If you purchased from a reseller, you need to manually register your license key in My VMware. Please consult this KB article for detailed instructions on license key registration.

Licensing and Upgrades

How do I purchase Workstation 15 Pro upgrades?

VMware Workstation 15 Pro upgrades are available for purchase on the VMware online store or through VMware resellers.

IMPORTANT: When you install a new version of Workstation, the previous version will be uninstalled from your system. Therefore, we recommend that you proceed with the upgrade only if you have a new license key. Your existing virtual machines will not be affected.

Support

When does complimentary support start?

Complimentary support starts when your VMware Workstation Pro license is registered. Registration takes place automatically if you purchase your product from the VMware Online store. If you purchased from a reseller, you need to register your license in My VMware. Please consult this KB article for detailed instructions on license key registration.

RESOURCES

Technical Information

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Choose Your OS

Run the apps that keep you most productive, wherever you want to use them. If Windows isn’t your main operating system, check out VMware Fusion for Mac or Workstation Player for a simplified solution for running a second and isolated OS on a single PC.